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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Budgets

The Lands at Hillside FarmsShavertown, PA

To budget is to allow or provide a particular amount for a
specific purpose. Dick and I have found that following a money budget keeps our
finances healthy. It helps us to always have a clear picture of what is
financially feasible and what is not. The first line item on our budget is our
giving to God. Placing it there is a physical reminder of what we strive for in
our hearts—to put God first.

I recently read a devotional by Gail Purth entitled, “Time
and Time Again” in which Gail talks about a “time budget”. It brought to
mind something my husband and I do many mornings. Before Dick heads for the
office, while we are slowly getting the wheels of our day turning, one of us
will ask, “What’s on the agenda for today?”

We share what our responsibilities, commitments, and hopes
are for the day, and then we pray together about these and ongoing desires of
our hearts. It helps us keep our priorities straight, assuring that those
things that really matter get done, and facilitates our desire to accommodate one
another.

Similarly, Dick and his staff meet briefly each morning to
go over their plans for the day and to pray together about the new and continuing
needs and happenings that require their attention—an “effort budget” of sorts.
It brings to the forefront of all of their minds the current primacies for ministry
at Trucksville UMC.

In order to thrive spiritually, part of my personal time
budget must be an intentional period each morning dedicated to re-connecting
with God. If I don’t take that time first thing, my day gets rolling and the
opportunity for truly “quiet moments” with Jesus is lost.

Although there are occasional unavoidable glitches that require
flexibility, I find budgets really do assist me in prioritizing all that God
has given me—whether it is time, money, or effort. Do you use budgets? Do you
find them helpful or restricting?